Ataraxia Opposed

I've been trying to learn Italian for my upcoming trip to Italy. I should be through my first pass of Level 1 of Rosetta Stone this weekend and am also looking into phrase books and a 101 book. To further my intermittent Italian immersion, I've changed the language on my iPhone to Italian last night.
Most of my apps names are still fully in English. Only the names of the native apps are in Italian. The apps themselves are in English. The platform stuff is almost all in Italian now. It's a little disorienting using my phone, almost if it's not mine. But in a week I will hopefully adjust and in a couple months be less disoriented on my trip

So I am *so* very done with my current phone company. I must admit I was very happy with their customer service but their coverage is so very flaky. In my building I can’t get signal. My phone spends all day looking for service and is dead after only 9 hours. I have a data plan but the connection (when I can get it) is frustratingly slow and basically useless. To boot three is a $200 ETF – flat. That’s right if I cancel 1 day before my contract runs out I pay through the nose.

I've pretty much decided to get an iphone. My company gets a discount, the speed I’ve seen from friend’s phones seems adequate and the number of aps would give me the functionality I want. I’ve thought about the 1, but it’s still with my old carrier and I still wouldn't get service. Also the whole flat ETF thing seriously pisses me off. There are tons of rumors that the next iphone or G2 would be coming out perpetually soon, given that I don't see what extra functionality they could give to make it worth the extra $250.

Luckily for me my contract runs out just barely in time before I go on vacation so I should have a toy to play with on the plane.

     The last week I have tried to find a silicone sleeve for my 13" laptop and a DVR enclosure case.  All the office supply stores, Best Buy and Circuit City did not have these things.  I didn't really expect them to, besides I just have to make a trip out to Fry's.  Fry's will have it (confident, affirming head nod).  Yeah...um, remember the magical times of the late 90's?  When any tech you could imagine you could find at Fry's and beyond.  Yes, the days when every nerd and geek swore angels sang everytime they walked in the doors.  Party's over - Fry's Failed. 
     They had neither the Si cover nor the DVR enclosure.  They did have a sleeve of the right size, but only one and it was poor.  I was truly stunned.  Fry's had to have it.  I was just looking in the wrong place.  So I walked up and down the aisle and halls.  I even checked all the end displays.  Nothing.  Nada.  Do not pass checkout.  Do not spend $200.  Disappointed, defeated and worst of all disillusioned I returned to my car.....purchasless.  So now I search the web for what I need.  Sigh.  I am one step closer to becoming a shopping shut-in; leaving the house only for  work and pick-up food orders.